He has a date with the media at 11am and can expect to be pressed on his plans now he has gained a parking space and lost the 'interim' prefix.

Wayne Rooney's future as captain will surely be on the agenda given the unwanted headlines created during the last international break, when he was pictured merrily socialising with fellow guests at England's team hotel in the early hours following a day off.

Rooney was unhappy with the way those interactions were reported and it is understood he neither set foot in a wedding reception nor ignored a request from Southgate to go to bed.

Nonetheless, the former Middlesbrough boss has a decision to make over the armband - for reasons of form as much as decorum - and with no game until March there is no rush for him to promise it to anyone.